My points in my 10-23-23 letter to the editor were re-confirmed when you headlined your reply with “Contains 2 false ethics accusations.” They were not false until the candidates investigated their account, which is accessible online to anyone.
I am sure both candidates, Eric Imker and Suzanne Brown, are glad Jim Morris, Chief of Staff of the Georgia Ethics, cleared the division’s error on their campaign filings.
I have nothing to apologize for: when I submitted my letter to the editor, the division showed a fine to Eric Imker and Suzanne Brown. The mistake is on the ethics commission, not my research.
I look forward to seeing if Suzanne Brown and Eric Imker file a report soon. You must report when your contributions and expenses exceed $5,000.00. Anything over $100 needs to be itemized. All candidates have likely exceeded that amount. It will be interesting to see the amount and kind of each candidate’s supporters through their list of contributors.
Another item that perplexes me: Steve Brown implies that the entire state ethics commission is corrupt when they don’t give him the answer he wants, but in this case, they are to be trusted.
I am also not surprised your readers have little to reply to the open records request:https://peachtreecitygapolice.nextrequest.com/requests/23-211
I believe it should disturb any reader that Steve Brown and Suzanne Brown are in group texts ordering councilmen how to vote on a variance procedure issue this summer.
To my reply to Suzanne Brown, she states that I was bolstering my candidates “who have received campaign funds through the chairperson of the real estate developer leaning political action committee Plan for PTC.” That is a false statement. I understand that Plan for PTC is not a PAC, but a registered as an independent committee. Their financials show no contributions towards any candidates, and none of the leadership is a real estate developer.
I never stated in the letter of 10-23-23 that they were my candidates, but I agreed with their decision not to answer your questions. But after seeing them at a few events, having a personal conversation, and each answering my emails — yes, I do plan on voting for them.
Over the past month, I have contacted Imker and Suzanne Brown no less than four times each via email and FB messenger. I am still waiting to receive an email or any reply from either.
Suzanne Brown does not have my vote. From my observations of her and based on the Open Record texts from this summer, the knowledge that she was on an unauthorized committee under vague pretenses to obtain data on over 8,000 deceased tells me everything.
She appears to be more interested in promoting extreme conservative viewpoints than listening and representing the 97% of citizens who live and enjoy Peachtree City. She doesn’t seem interested in being part of a team unless you have a QNON membership card.
And to be clear on all the fear of real estate development, no one on the City Council, nor any of the candidates, plan on approving more apartments.
On October 12, 2023, I attended the Georgia Housing Summit, sponsored by The Georgia Public Policy Foundation. Panels of experts and politicians, both Republicans and Democrats, discussed from 11:45 — 5:00 the housing shortage and innovative ways for the public and private sectors to work together to increase the supply of affordable new homes.
My takeaways:
• The unintended consequences of our healthy state economy and the relocation of fellow Americans for jobs in our area spur the apparent housing shortage.
• The housing shortage is not going away.
• It takes a single-family home or townhome to be valued at $560,000 before it is not a drain on city services.
• In most metro communities, the very personnel that serve the communities cannot afford to live there, and we should start there.
• No one wants apartments, and few want to live in one.
I am fortunate that I live in such a great place. I have enjoyed working, contributing to our community, and raising my children here. I do not fear that apartments or overdevelopment will take place in our beloved suburb, and I am not for either, as I like most of us, moved here for the lifestyle: good schools, low crime, plenty of recreation, access to the airport and ATL.
I trust the City Council and the new candidates I intend to vote for — each will lead with the original tenants of our Peachtree City. I want a diverse group of leaders challenging each other yet working as a team to face the individual issues and opportunities we face as a Planned Community and how we fit and don’t fit in the problems of the rest of the Metroplex.
Tricia Stearns
28-year resident of Peachtree City
Associate Broker, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
Creator of The Peachtree City Farmers Market
Co- Creator of the Peachtree City Community Garden
Mom, of three children, all raised in PTC
Avid cyclist, hiker, and all things outdoors—including pickleball.
Candidate in the Republican primary for State Senate District 16, 2018
