Last week I filed my “Declaration of Intention to Accept Campaign Contributions” for mayor of Peachtree City.

The election is in 2021 but it’s never too early. This is the first step towards that goal.

My top three issues are fiscal responsibility with our tax dollars, traffic solutions and land use.

I have the proven experience and know-how on making sure our tax dollars are wisely spent. Nobody can come close to my fiscal acumen and making sure the citizens know how their tax dollars are being spent, i.e., transparency.

We need solutions now for our traffic concerns, especially on Ga. Highway 54 during the morning and evening commute as well as lunch time backups. Reducing left in/left out turns that cause traffic to stop is one part of the solution. Eliminating certain other left in/left outs altogether is another. Eliminating whole traffic light(s) is yet another. Perhaps integrating this scheme with implementation only during certain rush hour traffic times could be another solution. There’s so much action to consider but nothing is getting done right now.

One of the most useless efforts to “help” traffic on Hwy. 54 is the total waste of spending $9 million on “fixing” the intersection at Hwys. 54/74. How many times must we tell everyone, “This is not the problem. The problem is all the traffic lights to the west of that intersection,” that causes backups into the 54/74 intersection. We need to stop this complete waste of $9 million and get the state to invest it in an alternate/bypass route from Fayetteville to Coweta County.

Our land use issues continue with never ending rezoning of our industrial land to residential. This has to stop and stop now. There’s still time to save what’s left but we need new council members, of which the mayor is one of five votes, to do it.

So there you have it, the top three issues confronting our next mayor: fiscal responsibility, traffic, and land use. There are many more issues but space is limited. I am up to the task and prepared to take this city to the next level of Live, Work, Play and Stay in the best community in the country, the world, if I may say so myself.

I have run in four different elections and have never accepted a contribution. I wanted to let citizens know I would never be beholden to anyone on decisions I would make while serving.

It was pointed out to me after the last election that I should go ahead and accept contributions because they create a “connection” to the candidate that encourages them want to help. I can still keep my independence while voting on issues like I had in the past. I now agree.

So this time I am accepting contributions. Checks only to “Eric Imker” please. My address is easily looked up. Transparency is vital. All contributions will be documented for anyone to see. Plus, I will personally match, dollar for dollar every contribution. A $25 contribution means $50. A $50 contribution means $100. Even a $1,000 contribution means $2,000. I will do this up to $10,000.

Finally, know that I am always eager to talk to folks who are unaware of Peachtree City and all it has to offer. I mention we have about 35,000 residents located 20 miles south of Atlanta. Of course I mention the 100 miles of golf cart paths and how most homes have a golf cart. I talk about our three beautiful lakes and our three championship golf courses. I mention our amphitheater which hosts celebrity names. I mention our world class tennis center.

I mention we have superior senior activities and then make sure to mention this is not a senior community like you hear about in Florida. We have an international airport (emergency alternate for ATL), a thriving industrial park, elementary and middle schools, and parks galore. I can continue for quite a while, like saying we have the only high school in the world where the kids go to school on golf carts.

Indeed, I am proud of Peachtree City. I would be honored and grateful if you will support me for Mayor of Peachtree City in November 2021. Please see my Facebook page, Eric Imker.

Eric Imker

Peachtree City, Ga.